Maria and Shaun’s stunning destination wedding in the South of France would be a fitting culmination to their equally dramatic courtship. It all began with a chance encounter during a study abroad program in Paris; Shaun by way of New York and Maria by way of Milan. A friendship that began in the most romantic city on the planet blossomed into love just days before the two were set to return home, leaving their future as uncertain as the first act of a big screen Bollywood romance. But the two stayed connected and endured a long distance relationship spanning two continents that eventually cemented their love. France would become a nostalgic centerpiece to their international love story, setting the stage not only for their first meeting but Shaun’s eventual marriage proposal.

The Cote d’Azur, literally ‘blue coast,’ the picturesque Mediterranean coastline known as the French Riviera, would thus be the ideal wedding destination to bring together friends and family from across the US, India, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Middle East. Nestled in the quiet fishing village of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the couple chose the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild to serve as the backdrop for their gorgeous wedding ceremony, a breathtaking seaside villa with sprawling gardens and fountains built in 1905. The weekend was kicked off with a stylish welcome reception at La Voile d’Or, a chic boutique hotel overlooking the luxurious yachts and sailboats dotting the azur waters. From a stroll through the medieval cobblestone walkways of the charming hilltop village, Eze, Maria and Shaun couldn’t resist a jaunt along the rugged coastline as the French often do, on a Vespa, speeding between the cypress trees and limestone cliffs of the lush peninsula. Maria and Shaun also seized an opportunity to celebrate their love of Italian fashion, donning looks by Roberto Cavalli and Prada.

The five day solo shoot also spanned two continents, from New York to the South of France, and was another intense production in a series with only a single shooter. A thanks to the vendors who put together this stunning event:

The word paradise often evokes the distinct pastoral imagery of a lush earthly Eden that has been celebrated in pop culture by countless artists through time. The concept of such a place brings an immediate feeling of warmth and peace for those able to find it - but is paradise more than just a place?

The paradise found by Bansi and Edward would first take the form of Saint Lucia, a breathtaking tropical island in the Caribbean. Their decision to elope wasn’t an easy one. Bringing together all of their friends and family was a big reason they originally planned for a traditional wedding in Philadelphia. When a member of Edward’s family fell ill, postponement seemed indefinite. Amidst the uncertainty, the couple decided to escape on a short vacation in the Caribbean. The two arrived in Saint Lucia where they found a surreal natural beauty unlike any other. With the blessing of both their families, the couple realized there would be no better way to bring the sights and sounds of a dream wedding in paradise back home than capturing it all in a film that would premiere at a surprise reception a few short months later; to all their extended friends and family in attendance, Bansi and Edward would unveil their surprise elopement. The experience and memories they brought back would last a lifetime, as would the small piece of themselves they left behind. The journey helped them realize that the paradise they found wasn’t a place at all, it was the true love they share for one another.

The four day shoot with no assistants or second shooters was definitely a challenge. We’re especially grateful to Bansi and Edward, who gave us complete control over all aspects of the creation of this film - from the concept, to the locations, to the various looks created in collaboration with Susmita Patel of Style by Susmita; to the words spoken reverently by Mr. Michael Aubertin, which were scripted exclusively by Pacific Pictures.

What reads like part of an ancient Hindu proverb spoken beautifully by Pandit Satish Kumar, was in fact part of Avni and Abhishek’s original concept film created exclusively by Pacific Pictures for their stunning four day wedding same-day-edit, featuring a concept shoot at the awe-inspiring Bonneville salt flats and a one-of-a-kind vidai in a hot air balloon. Avni and Abhishek’s gorgeous Hindu wedding in Salt Lake City, Utah was nearly one year in the making. Their wedding festivities appeared not once but twice on the cover of the Salt Lake Tribune, which called their celebration “a wedding for the ages” and “a fairy tale event, involving hundreds of people from all over the globe.” With the vibrant color and beautiful splendor of Avni and Abhishek’s opulent Hindu wedding also came deep spiritual meaning, strong bonds of family, and tender emotion, felt throughout the couples’ grah shanti, mehndi, sangeet, wedding ceremony and reception.

The events brought Abhishek’s Houston native Dhingra family to the Patel family’s local Salt Lake City; to the Grand America Hotel, which played host to the festivities after several transformations by Remmal Kamsadkar‘s Orlando based Occasions by Shangri-La, under the coordination of the team at Kiscubed Events. Utah Governor Gary Herbert proclaimed Avni and Abhishek’s wedding day, “a day of celebration across the state of Utah,” and it’s no surprise, since their wedding was said to be “one of Utah’s most elaborate and expensive wedding celebrations ever.” But the elaborate celebration was not the sole motivation for all the attention: the kindness, generosity and care exuded by the Patel family patriarch, Mr. Dinesh Patel, along with his entire family, including Avni, can be felt in their presence immediately; it’s no surprise they’re as well liked and respected. Their new extended Dhingra family also exudes unparalleled warmth, and the rare affection and soft-hearted nature of Abhishek’s personality was one we became infected by. We’re lucky to have shared such a special moment in their lives and honored to have captured all the incredible moments of the joining of these two amazing families!

A powerful message long cherished by Sasha upon the passing of his grandmother, echoes the theme of our cross-cultural drama, MATRYOSHKA. Set simultaneously in two cities nearly a world apart, Moscow and Los Angeles, MATRYOSHKA tells the modern day story of Russian immigrants, Sasha and Yulia, as they plan their upcoming wedding in America and reflect on the many loved ones they miss back home.

Like many in a diaspora, they yearn to share their wedding celebration with the friends and family that remain behind overseas; sadly most of them will not be able to make the long journey to attend. Saying goodbye to loved ones at a given stage or circumstance is a bittersweet fact of life we all tend to face. For Sasha and Yulia, it’s a challenge that seems insurmountable until the night Sasha presents Yulia with a special gift - an old Russian nested doll - the ubiquitous MATRYOSHKA. A family heirloom Sasha received years ago. It’s a gift that comes with a powerful message about saying goodbye to loved ones; a message that inspires Yulia to action. All alone, Yulia travels back to their Russian homeland to create a special video of the friends and family that remain behind - a thoughtful surprise to share with everyone at their wedding, including Sasha. Challenges arise immediately upon her arrival, but one is seemingly solved by a mysterious local driver at the airport. As Yulia’s journey unfolds, questions are revealed like the MATRYOSHKA, layer upon layer.

Though in her darkest hour, Yulia recalls Sasha’s powerful message and within his words a dramatic revelation. MATRYOSHKA is as much a tribute to one’s homeland as it is a celebration of the people who touch our lives and guide us directly and indirectly on our path as we encounter moments of fate and coincidence. And of those loved ones we may be forced to let go, Sasha’s words are a reminder that they live on in our hearts and minds, forever.

From a production standpoint, MATRYOSHKA was a test for the limits of ultra low profile, on-location guerilla filmmaking. As each of our productions have grown in scope and scale, so too have their crews and crew footprints. Written, produced and directed by Kevin Shahinian, MATRYOSHKA was shot over six days on-location in Moscow with no crew whatsoever, with the hope of making no compromises and few sacrifices in how the film would be executed. Ideas are only as solid as their execution and the conditions proved extremely challenging, from dialogue in moving vehicles to foot chases through dense woodlands; it’s exciting to share the results and let the audience be the judge. MATRYOSHKA is inspired by true events and co-stars Evgeniy Volovenko and Olga Prikhodko.

Some coincidences we aren’t meant to understand. And some things aren’t coincidences.

Can a moment be defined - as fate or coincidence? The people who have touched our lives; the choices we’ve made; the many turns we could’ve taken, but didn’t; have all led us to this moment. For Russian immigrants Yulia and Sasha, this moment arrives on the eve of their upcoming wedding in America. As they reflect on the fateful ways they met and the journey that brought them together; from random acts, to deliberate choices, and the pivotal people who helped along the way.

Like many in a diaspora, they yearn to share their wedding celebration with the friends and family that remain behind overseas. Sadly most of them cannot make the long journey to attend. It’s a challenge that seems insurmountable, until the night Sasha presents Yulia with one simple gift - an old Russian nested doll - the ubiquitous MATRYOSHKA. A family heirloom that comes with a very powerful message, one that inspires Yulia to action. All alone, Yulia travels back to their Russian homeland to create a special video of the friends and family left behind - a thoughtful surprise to share with everyone at their wedding, including Sasha. Challenges arise immediately upon her arrival, but one is seemingly solved by a mysterious local driver at the airport. As Yulia’s journey unfolds, questions unravel like the MATRYOSHKA, layer upon layer. Is his presence fate? Or just coincidence? Is he all he seems to be? Some coincidences we aren’t meant to understand. And some things aren’t coincidences. Written and directed by Kevin Shahinian, MATRYOSHKA was shot over six days on-location in Moscow and guest starts Evgeniy Volovenko and Olga Prikhodko. Inspired by true events. MATRYOSHKA, The Official Short will be released on our blog soon. We hope you enjoy the teaser and thanks for watching!